Love, Learn & Live with Bipolar Disorder

Kitt fights stigma even as she stands beneath a fig tree in her back yard

Why is it that we as a society seem to accept depression in women more readily than other mental illnesses? We seem to find it acceptable when a woman harms herself, turns her pain, frustration, and anger inward; yet, should she lash out at those making demands of her, such as her children, she is seen as a monster.

Why does it seem more acceptable for a woman to suffer from postpartum depression than postpartum bipolar disorder or postpartum psychosis? Do we not understand that the hormones of pregnancy can push depression to bipolarity or lead to psychosis, as in psychotic depression? Anyone of us is vulnerable to mental illness, even psychosis, given the right circumstances.

If we are to destigmatize mental illness, we must stop distancing ourselves from and judging certain diagnoses as worse than or other than. For years, I turned my rage onto myself rather than attack others. I internalized the stigmatization of certain brain disorders over others. For some reason, I accepted the diagnosis of depression. Bipolar, not so much.

Stop bashing troubled women who need our understanding, support, and treatment. Stop making distinctions that further stigmatize mental illness and marginalize those in need.

Learn more about stigma and mental illness for women, read this excellent article:

40 thoughts on “Women, Stigma, and Mental Illness”

It wasn’t until menopause that I experienced my struggle with anxiety. The hormonal upheaval blindsided me. I never knew when I would experience pure panic. Making sense of it, finding a doctor who could help me–all of that was so overwhelming. I was embarrassed and hard enough on myself, I sure didn’t need society helping me to bash my self-esteem. As a culture I think we cut men so much more slack than we do women. But dealing with the anxiety, has made me more compassionate both towards others and even towards myself.

The effects of hormonal changes on the brain fascinates me. I look forward to future breakthroughs and greater knowledge of how the brain works. The work we do to educate the public will increase compassion and understanding, as you experienced, of ourselves and others.

I think it’s like some disabilities in children are more acceptable than others. Dyslexia? Cool. Autism’s on the rise. Down’s Syndrome and some others are not as acceptable. I think it changes the more society knows and understands.
I also think there’s a strong, unwavering woman/mother archetype that’s ingrained in our…what’s the term, “shared conciousness” or something? Hard to fight that one.
But you’re out there busting all those expectations and unspoken rules. Good for you!

The critic always appears more harsh on women, or is it that we are harder on ourselves? I am.
We are supposed to be “the rock”, despite the concept of men being the “stronger sex”. Myth.
If you speak your truth then the repercussions are unknown but at least you live your life in TRUTH. Honor it.
By each of us doing so, I hope that doors and windows thrown open; and judgement leaves while help and compassion enter the room.
All the best

Reblogged this on Finding your inner happiness and commented:
So true. Some people do not stand up and ask for help because they’re too afraid of what the world will say. So they continue to live in the darkness; society prevents them from living in the light. Those who stigmastise are merely small-minded. And we need to open their eyes to the true reality of mental illness.

I judge not. The greater importance is the stigma we attach to the diagnosis. Just as the queer movement owned the labels used to denigrate them and in doing so fought the stigma and hate attached to those labels, so do those in the mad movement. Yes, not only do I have bipolar, but I am manic-depressive. It is a part of who I am, of how my brain works. It does not make me any less of a person. It is how God made me and I accept that. He had a reason, no doubt.

Yes, I have noticed certain mental illnesses are “okay” while others are stigmatized. Depression and OCD are okay. But Bipolar Disorder is not. Neither is Asperger’s. Nor psychosis. Post-partum illnesses are more acceptable than those that are just part of the person for life. Etc. etc. But then life is not fair– nor will it ever be. But people could become more accepting. I just don’t see that happening. Not when there are mentally ill mass murderers, etc. But, it could be argued, that if there was not such a stigma and such bullying, these people could have gotten help and thus avoided violence. I don’t have much hope for the masses de-stigmatizing lots of mental illnesses.

Your assessment is no doubt realistic. But, if I were to specifically address the collective community advocating for the destigmatization of brain disorders, the least we can do as a community is not point fingers at and judge each other as less than us. But, yes, we do still measure neurological differences not only by diagnosis, but by degree, just as we differentiate between an Aspie and an Autist, when both deal with the same or similar neurological issues along a spectrum.

As you no doubt know, I do not condone violence against others in any form. My professional career as psychotherapist included working with battered women and abused and troubled children and adolescents. As a parent, as a parent with bipolar disorder, I see things as not so black and white. In fact even before I became a parent, working with dysfunctional families themselves taught me a great deal of compassion, for people can love each other and do their best and still hurt each other deeply.